Finance minister Pravin Gordhan faces what could be his most difficult budget speech to date as he seeks to stimulate the economy while containing expenditure, according to Global Credit Ratings (GCR) CEO, Marc Joffe.

The Ethiopian government has announced that posting the current situation in the country on Facebook is a crime.
Also on the list of banned activities are listening to Voice of America and German radio, Ethiopian Satellite Television and Radio (ESAT) and Oromo Media Network (OMN).

Ancient Romans were praised for their irrigation and aqueducts. Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane is hoping modern-day Italy has the expertise to help South Africa improve its management of water resources.

Passenger Rail Agency SA’s (Prasa) turn-around strategy as well as a report into its procurement and supply chain management by the Office of the Public Protector are both receiving the attention of the agency’s board and will be brought to the attention of Transport Minister Dipuo Peters.

Retail sales growth slowed further in August, deepening the disappointing slowdown reported for July.
Retail sales grew just 0.2% in August compared with a year earlier, Statistics SA said on Wednesday, after the 0.8% increase that was reported last month for July.

One of the biggest challenges facing the South African economy was that it was not growing fast enough and a number of bodies‚ including labour‚ needed to work together to address this challenge‚ Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan said on Wednesday.